Never Despair

William Smith O’Brien (1803–1864)

NEVER despair! Let the feeble in spirit

Bow like the willow that stoops to the blast.

Droop not in peril! ’T is manhood’s true merit

Nobly to struggle and hope to the last.

When by the sunshine of fortune forsaken

Faint sinks the heart of the feeble with fear,

Stand like the oak of the forest—unshaken,

Never despair—Boys—oh! never despair.

Never despair! Though adversity rages,

Fiercely and fell as the surge on the shore,

Firm as the rock of the ocean for ages,

Stem the rude torrent till danger is o’er.

Fate with its whirlwind our joys may all sever,

True to ourselves, we have nothing to fear.

Be this our hope and our anchor for ever—

Never despair—Boys—oh! never despair.